What can be done if one is not able create a vivid mental picture when using the technique of creative imagination?
Forming a vivid mental picture is not as impor-tant as having awareness along with a feeling of cer-tainty that what is desired is an accomplished fact.
How will you feel when your aim is accomplished or a purpose is fulfilled? From within yourself elicit that feeling along with feelings of freedom, happi-ness, and thankfulness.
Imagine a situation that will confirm your accom-plishment. What will be your thoughts? Think like that. How will you act? After your practice session, act like that.
How often should the technique be used for a spe-cific purpose?
Until awareness and conviction of what has been imagined is firmly established. When this is accomplished, repetition is not necessary. If you use imagination to change your mental state or state of awareness, maintain those states. If you use it to achieve goals or to create or attract ideal circum-stances, have faith and let external events occur.
Be receptive to unplanned good fortune that can and will be yours. The more you open yourself to life, the more God’s grace will be evident. When you are flowing with life’s innate inclinations to express, you will not have to sit in the silence to practice creative imagination. The moment that a thought arises in regard to possibilities that are worthwhile for you, you will immediately accept the outcome and life will provide it for you. You will be aware of becom-ing more cosmic conscious: able to comprehend the wholeness of life and your role in its processes.
As time passes, when you compare how you are thinking, feeling, and acting with how you used to think, feel, and act, you will be thankful for the progress you have made. You will realize that your awareness is no longer ordinary or blurred by con-ditions that formerly modified it.
Should several aims or goals be imagined during one session or should I concentrate on one thing to accomplish?
If you have a specific desire or need, focus your attention on it. When your awareness is more clear and your capacities are enlarged, imagine and feel that all circumstances in your life are ideal. Cul-tivate peacefulness, cheerfulness, and optimism.
When you are peaceful, cheerful, and optimistic, you will see opportunities you could not see before and be able to think and function more effectively.
Avoid thinking of reasons why you cannot be happy and freely functional. Disregard thoughts
and feelings of limitation and ineptitude. Don’t dwell on or be influenced by memories of past failures or mistakes. Forget the negative opinions that oth-ers might have expressed about you. You are a spiritual being with unlimited potential. Go forward with your life.
Consider living to be a great adventure. Be inter-ested in the possibilities of learning, doing, and accomplishing. Enthusiasm is evidence of your appreciation for life and living. Apathy and disin-terest indicate an inclination toward death.
You can never die; you can only temporarily be unconscious. To prefer unconsciousness to being fully conscious is to be emotionally immature. Before spiritual growth can be experienced and life can be lived effectively, you must be willing to grow to emotional maturity. Only then can you be freely functional and fulfilled.
Is it all right to use imagination to attract material things?
There is no separation between spiritual and material realities. Material things are formed by the energy of Consciousness.
Desire to have what you need and acquire it by performing right actions and using imagination to attract supportive events and circumstances. Every-thing that you need for your well-being is available for you to acknowledge and accept.
Avoid self-centered (egocentric) thinking and
behaviors. Nurture your innate divine qualities.
Meditate in the silence until you are established in conscious awareness of your true nature and are aware of your relationship with the Infinite. Medi-tate in God. Feel that you are a bubble of awareness in the ocean of infinite Consciousness.
Avoid others who are self-centered or who are not sincerely interested in learning how to live as enlightened spiritual beings.
Be kind, truthful, and honest. Discipline your thoughts and actions. Concentrate on essentials and disregard nonessentials. Think about what is most important to you and focus your attention on those matters.
You are in this world to accomplish four aims of life, which are:
1. To use your knowledge and skills effectively in accord with the orderly processes of nature. You will then do what you are best qualified to do and know that you are in your “right place” in the cosmos.
2. To have life-enhancing desires easily fulfilled.
Learn to do this by skillful living and by wise use of creative imagination.
3. To have abundant resources for your needs, the needs of others for whom you are responsible, and to allow you to accomplish purposes which are of value.
4. To awaken through the stages of spiritual growth until you are fully enlightened.
Established in Self-awareness and knowledge of the wholeness of life, think rationally and perform effective actions. Remember that the full reality of God includes this material realm.
Should what I imagine be kept private or is it all right to share my hopes and dreams with others?
Keep personal matters private. Talking about them with others will dissipate your physical and mental energies, distract your attention, weaken your concentration, and may invite unwanted opin-ions or negative comments. Let the results of your inner work be the outer evidence of your dedication to it.
Projects that involve others who are possibility-thinkers and who will constructively work with you can be discussed. In such endeavors, be sure that all who are involved have the same aims and are success-oriented.
In regard to having desires fulfilled or needs met, what is the difference between this process and prayer?
The procedures are similar. Effective prayer and skillful practice of creative imagination produce the same results. When you believe with certainty that you have what you prayed for, and when you expe-rience what you imagined as real, the desire of your heart (the essence of your being) is fulfilled.
Imagination, used prayerfully, with devotion, is
most effective. When doing your inner work, do it as a competent spiritual being rather than think-ing or feelthink-ing that you are a needy human creature trying to accomplish something that may improve your ordinary existence.
After creative imagining, what can be done to main-tain faith and receptivity?
Live with a clear sense of meaningful purpose.
Choose to be happy and optimistic. Remember that you are a spiritual being in a universe emanating from and maintained by the Power of Consciousness.
Now knowing that your states of awareness and mental states determine your experiences, choose to be Self-aware and to think constructively while performing actions which will produce the results you desire to have.
What can I do to help others in our world?
Share useful information and help in practical ways when you can, while living effectively and completing your own spiritual growth.
The more spiritually enlightened you are, the more will the radiance of your Self- and God-realiza-tion beneficially influence the collective conscious-ness of everyone.
CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL AWARENESS Our international headquarters is located in the low mountains of northeast Georgia, 90 miles from Atlanta. Meditation retreats are scheduled from spring until early autumn. Guest housing and bal-anced vegetarian meals are provided on a donation basis during retreat sessions.
CSA Press is the publishing department.
A free information packet, a sample copy of Truth Journal magazine, and a book
list will be sent on request.
Center for Spiritual Awareness Post Office Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia 30552-0001 Tel: 706-782-4723 Fax: 706-782-4560
email: [email protected] Web Site: www.csa-davis.org
Several of Mr. Davis’ books are published in India by Motilal Banarsidass, 40 U.A., Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar,
Delhi 110 007 e-mail: [email protected]